Maltese Dog Breed Information

Group

Toy

Weight

3-5 kg

Height

20-25 cm

Lifespan

12 to 15 years

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About the Maltese

Reviewed by:

Dr. Dilber Hussain

Veterinarian

The Maltese terrier is the poster child for lapdogs everywhere. These feisty dogs are devoted, lovable and playful, and love being doted on by their owners. A Maltese dog can be distinguished by its luxurious long white silky coat and small size.

Read on to find out more about these small dogs and why they are excellent companions.

What is the history & origin of the Maltese?

The Maltese has a rather interesting and mysterious history. They originated from Malta, and are considered one of the oldest European breeds in the toy group.

Sailors visiting Malta in 1500 B.C. reported seeing Maltese dogs, and they were seen in Greek art from the 5th century. They were historically called “Ye Ancient Dogge of Malta” as well as “the Roman Ladies dog”.

The Maltese found their way to England in the 1300s, where they became a favourite pet of the upper class because of their small size and pure white coat.

The Maltese was exhibited in 1877 at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show in America and was registered as a breed in 1888 by the American Kennel Club.

Since then, the dog’s personality and affinity for being a lap dog have made it one of the most popular toy breeds around the world.

What is a Maltese breed?

The Maltese dog is recognised for its small, compact, and square body. Its coat is silky and white, with long hair. An adult dog’s coat hangs nearly to the ground.

It has a gentle but alert facial expression, with intelligent, black eyes and drop ears.

It has a tufted tail that is curled over the back, and a smooth, loping gait.

Although similar to the Bichon Frise toy breed, Maltese are slightly smaller and have a straight coat, while the Bichon breed has shorter, curly hair.

Who is a Maltese best for?

Maltese dogs are great apartment dogs and become very attached to their owners.

They can be intolerant of younger children and might nip at them, especially if they have been spoiled by their owners and view the child as a threat.

Similarly, they can become territorial with other breeds and are best suited as the only dog in the family. Maltese puppies can be socialised to be tolerant of other dog breeds, but it does not come naturally.

Maltese would be best suited for families without children or with older children and would prefer to be the only furry family member.

Maltese Grooming & Shedding

Maltese do not have an undercoat, and therefore they do not shed a lot.

Maltese are high-maintenance and require daily grooming to maintain their luscious coats. They will require daily brushing (or even multiple times a day) to prevent dirt and mats in their coats. They will also require weekly baths with coat conditioning to keep their coats white and soft.

Most Maltese have some tear staining. Even a perfectly healthy dog will have some face staining, but it can be prevented:

Use warm water to clean your dog’s eyes every day, and wash their chin after feeding.
Use a water bottle instead of a water bowl, as mineral water can stain your dog’s beard.
Feed from steel, ceramic, or glass bowls – avoid plastic bowls. Wash the bowls in between feedings.

Your Maltese could have hair growing in its ears which can cause an ear infection. Your vet or groomer can be able to help with this problem, or you can ask for professional advice on how to remove the hair yourself.

Maltese also require regular nail clipping if they do not walk on surfaces that wear down their nails. The nails will have to be trimmed monthly.

Do Maltese bark a lot?

In general, Maltese are peaceful dogs, but they do bark on occasion.

The Maltese dog is known as a Maltese Lion Dog for a reason. These tiny pooches are fiercely protective and will bark to protect their owners if they feel threatened.

Sadly, they do often experience separation anxiety, which can make them nervous barkers when left alone.

Except for these two circumstances, your Maltese will be mostly quiet. And, if you start early, you can teach your Maltese puppy not to bark.

What is the average weight & height of a Maltese dog?

The Maltese is a small breed, with both males and females typically weighing between 3 and 5 kg. Males generally stand about 25.4 cm tall at the withers, while females are slightly shorter at 22.8 cm.

Are Maltese easy to train?

Maltese are smart dogs and can quickly learn new tricks. They also do well at dog sports and shows.

Maltese can be taught agility, commands and speed, making them great competitors in agility competitions.

You can start training your Maltese pups from 12 weeks old, and they are life-long learners.

How do Maltese behave? A look at their temperament and personality

Maltese dogs love to impress, and they adore people, assuming everyone would want to be their friend.

This dog breed is highly intelligent, and this intelligence coupled with their eagerness to please makes them excellent at learning new tricks.

Being a terrier, the Maltese thinks it is much bigger than its actual size. This can make them a bit feisty, especially around children and other dogs.

A well-trained and socialised Maltese will be active, lively, fun, loving and friendly.

Does the Maltese have any common health issues?

Maltese dogs are generally healthy, but there are some common Maltese health concerns:

White Dog Shaker Syndrome: This causes the dog to have body tremors. It is believed by vets that dogs do not experience pain and that it is possibly an autoimmune reaction. This condition is prevalent in white dogs.
Live Shunts: This congenital condition causes limited blood flow to the liver. The blood is not thoroughly filtered, which causes waste to build up in the body. This results in weakness, slow growth rate, confusion, constipation diarrhea, excessive thirst, frequent urination, drooling, and seizures.
Collapsed Trachea: This is a genetic condition where the cartilage around the windpipe is weak and collapses. It can also be caused by injury.
Hip Dysplasia: This is common in many purebred dogs. The ball and socket of the hip joint slip out, which causes discomfort. Fortunately, it can be fixed, especially in younger dogs.

What is the lifespan of a Maltese?

Your Maltese dog can live between 12 to 15 years.

How much does a Maltese need to be fed?

Feeding a puppy: Once the puppy has been weaned, it can eat food formulated for small-sized puppies. Start with 1/4 cups of food per day, spread over 3 mealtimes. You can slightly increase this feeding regimen until the age of 6 months, whereafter your pup can eat an adult diet.

Feeding an adult dog: You should feed your dog according to your size. Dogs between 1 and 2 kgs should eat 1/4 to 1/2 cup of dog food each day. Dogs weighing more than 2 kgs can eat 1/2 to 3/4 cups a day. Always spread the food across two mealtimes.

How much can you expect to pay for a Maltese in Australia?

Because of their popularity, the tiny Maltese is one of the most expensive toy breeds. A purebred pup can cost between $2,000 and $5,000. A superior pedigree is more expensive, from $4,000 to $7,000, and will come with the required health certifications, like certificates from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation and the PennHip foundation.

You can contact your National Breed Club if you are interested in getting a Maltese.

Maltese FAQs

Is a Maltese dog ideal for a first-time dog owner?

Maltese dogs are great for first-time dog owners as they are small, playful, easy to train and protective.

Do Maltese dogs suffer from separation anxiety?

Because of their affection for their owners, most Maltese dogs can suffer from separation anxiety.

When a Maltese is left alone or separated from their owner, they can show some common separation anxiety symptoms, like:

Chewing and being destructive.
Having potty accidents when the owner is away.
Being very clingy and whiny when the owner is preparing to leave.
Scratching furniture and doors.
Self-isolation when the owner returns.
Trying to escape when the owner leaves.
Excessive barking.

Maltese owners can manage separation anxiety through proper training. Maltese excel on a set routine and changes to this routine can cause anxiety.

Are Maltese dogs hypoallergenic dogs?

Maltese are considered hypoallergenic because they do not shed a lot because of their lack of undercoat. They are also small, and produce much less dander and drool than other pets.

Will a Maltese need professional grooming?

No, a Maltese does not need professional grooming. An owner can manage the grooming of their dog through daily brushing and regular bathing. Of course, the occasional professional grooming session will leave your dog extra soft and beautifully white.